Rea’s Brighton concert cancelled after singer collapses on stage

Chris Rea’s scheduled concert in Brighton did not go ahead yesterday following the singer’s collapse on Saturday evening.

The Driving Home For Christmas singer had been performing at the New Theatre in Oxford when he fell to the stage mid-song.

Currently in the midst of his The Road Songs For Lovers live tour, the 66-year-old who suffered a stroke last year - was scheduled to perform at the Brighton Centre on Sunday, but this has now been cancelled. 0 Rea was performing at Oxford’s New Theatre

A spokesman for the singer said: “Unfortunately Chris Rea has had to cancel tonight’s show at Brighton Centre due to illness. A decision about the outstanding date on his UK tour on 12 December at Bournemouth International Centre will be made in the near future.” The Brighton Centre said in a tweet that “tickets will be refunded at point of purchase”.

Shortly after the incident on Saturday night, Rea was thought to be in a “stable” condition.

Darren Fewins, who had been watching the show with his wife, said the musician had been on stage for 40 to 45 minutes before he fell backwards.

“He was standing by the microphone and he had the guitar in his hand and he kept shaking his left hand as if there was something not quite right with it,” the 46-year-old said.